College Congratulates Oscar Nominee Steve

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Former student achieves stunning success as director of 12 Years A Slave

Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College is celebrating the stunning success of former student Steve McQueen, the filmmaker who has already been awarded a Golden Globe and now has BAFTA and Oscar nominations for his critically acclaimed film 12 Years A Slave.

The director, who studied A Levels including art at the college, collected the prestigious Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture and days later received an Oscar nomination for Best Director. The film also received eight other Oscar nominations.

12 Years A Slave also has 10 BAFTA nominations for Best Director, Best Film, Adapted Screenplay, Original Music, Cinematography, Editing and Production Design. Chiwetel Ejiofor is nominated for Leading Actor. Michael Fassbender is nominated for Supporting Actor and Lupita Nyong’o is nominated for Supporting Actress.

Set in 1841 New York, the film tells the true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man who is kidnapped and sold into slavery.

Steve, 44, who was born in west London, wanted to make a film about slavery and in a recent interview spoke of his delight when he found the book upon which 12 Years a Slave is based: "It was identical to my idea. But every turn of the page was a revelation, because you think you know what slavery is, and you're opening this book and thinking, my God. Every page was just, wow, really? It was such an eye-opener."

After studying art at Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College, McQueen moved on to the Chelsea College of Arts and Goldsmiths College and won the Turner Prize in 1999.

His mainstream movie career began with a film called Hunger in 2006. He received an OBE in 2002 and CBE in 2011.

He's now teaming up with the BBC to make an epic drama about the lives of black Britons over more than half a century.

The college's Director of Curriculum Adam Fahey says: "It is always pleasing to see our former students do well. We aim to equip our students with the tools and confidence to make an impact on the world regardless of their chosen career path."

In recent years, the college has seen a number of students rise to stardom, including Jamal Edwards, founder of Youtube SBTV, and Hollywood actor David Ajala.

The BAFTAS, or British Aademy Film Awards, take place on Sunday February 16, and the Oscars take place on 2nd March.

January 24, 2014